Procedures For Mission Planning

1. At the receipt of an initiating directive, mission or warning order, all squadron planners will report to the ready room. The key players (AMC, AFL, EFL, AFC, etc.) will form in an area sufficiently isolated to allow them to concentrate on problem framing. The key players must remain collocated in order ot facilitate integration of all mission assets. Problem framing will be conducted IAW the Marine Corp Planning Process MCPP
2. While the key players analyze the mission, XO will brief the squadron planners on available information and outline the courses of action (COA) to be developed.

Mission Specific Routes (naming)

After States

Checkpoints (naming)

After Cities

Landing Zones (LZ) (naming)

After Birds

Landing Sites (LS) (naming)

After colors or after cardinal directions (north, northwest, etc). Experience has shown that cardinal directions increase situational awareness.

Battle Positions (BP) (naming)

After animals, beginning with snakes

Holding Areas (HA) (naming)

After women

Firing Points (FP)

Assigned numbers

Landing Points (LP) (naming)

Numbered

Initial Points (IP) (naming)

After cars, Depicted as squares

Mission Coordination Areas (MCA) (naming)

After sodas

Airspace Coordination Areas (ACA) (naming)

After camera manufacturers

FARPS (naming)

After fast food restaurants

Air to Air Refueling (AAR) Tracks (naming)

After gas stations

Execution Checklist (naming)

labeled with a theme (alphabetically) for mandatory items and a separate theme (alphabetically) for exception items

Ground Tactical Plan

Before an air assault operation can be planned, the ground scheme of maneuver must be tight. It is the foundation of a successful air assault operation.

Landing Plan

The landing plan is designed to support the ground tactical plan. It contains the details of how the assault force will be inserted and extracted, what fires will support the insert and extract and the command and control procedures for the assault. The number and type of aircraft and landing zones available will affect the speed of combat build-up in the objective area.

Air Movement Plan

The air movement plan supports the landing plan and ultimately the ground tactical plan. It specifies the air movement schedule and provides instruction for the movement of troops, equipment and supplies from the pick-up zone to the landing zone. The air movement plan must integrate and de-conflict mission assets.

Loading Plan

The load plan assigns serials, both Marines and cargo, to each aircraft in each wave. The PZ is an objective area and must be planned to in detail. Once the ASLT is complete, the AFC can complete the ASSAT. PZ operations will set the tempo for the air assault and are the first opportunity to gain momentum. It must be simple, briefed in detail, and understood by the ACE, GCE, and LCE.

Staging Plan

The staging plan assembles units and air assets in the PZ in preparation for loading. A logical and well thought out staging plan will increase the efficiency of the load plan. This phase encompasses departure point operations and routing to the PZ. Refer to the air movement plan for routing considerations.

Dimensions (ACE Capabilities)

Height- 28 feet, 4 inches
Weight 43,800 lbs
73,500 lbs
Rotor diameter 79 ft
Length- 99 feet .5 inches

Airspeed (ACE Capabilities)

Max endurance- 70 KIAS
Max range- 130-140 KIAS
Max airspeed- 150 KIAS

Fuel Capacity (ACE Capabilities)

15,500 lbs
2,277 gals
3x5000 lbs TBFDS

Payloads (ACE Capabilities)

28 seats
43 seats w/ centerline
Note: centerline seating not available with ballistic protection system (BPS) installed
36,000 lbs external
24 litters max

Endurance: typical (ACE Capabilities)

3+30 hours (HAAR capable)

Endurance: Best case (ACE Capabilities)

4+30

Weapons Systems (ACE Capabilities)

Guns- 3x .50 cal GAU-21
Other systems- GPS, FLIR, HUD

Communication equipment: (ACE Capabilities)

VHF/UHF 3 x ARC-210 with KY-58 for encryption
SATCOM
BFT/EDM 1 x AYK-28(V)2

Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ACE Capabilities)

RWR- APR-39 (v) 1 radar warning receiver
Expendables- ALE-47 countermeasure dispenser
Missile warning- AAR-47V2 MWS
BPS- Ballistic Protection System
DIRCM- AAQ-24

Landing Zone Brief

1. Zone Location (geographical feature, checkpoint, gird, road/intersection, etc.)
2.Marked By (air panel, buzzsaw, chem lights, IR strobes, smoke, talk-on, etc.)
3. Obstacles (power lines, trees, height)